32bit XP to 64bit Winows 8?

ssmacc

ssmacc

ssmacc

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Hello,

I know there are lots of Windows 8 threads, but I think the below is quite specific and the answer may be useful for others (I can’t be the only one who’s been in the attic looking for an old XP disk!)

I’ve managed to find an old copy of XP (and installed it on a virtual PC), it’s 32bit. I’ve loaded Windows 8 Upgrade Advisor and can go through the steps to upgrade. However, there is no choice regarding 32/64bit, I can order a DVD as well as the digital download (as I’ve read you can’t go from 32bit to 64bit) but it looks like the DVD would be 32bit? What’s the cheapest way to get the a Windows 8 64bit upgrade (from XP 32bit?)

Ultimately I’d like to install Windows Pro 8 (64bit) on a new PC via a pen drive if possible.

Cheers
 
Mate I'm looking for the exact same, I know I have an old copy of windows xp 64 somewhere but for the life of me I can't find it :S
 
My guess is the Windows 8 key you get will be valid for both 32-bit and 64-bit. You would need to obtain the 64-bit installation files from somewhere though.
 
I'm facing this too but I have w8rp 64bit so am doing the download, media creation using this first, time will tell if i'm successful. Once I've got the media created, then i'm going to reinstall xp.
 
The upgrade assistant will install the version your coming from.. so if you upgrade from 32bit it will install windows 8 32 bit...

I'm not sure how you would get around this...
 
Actually if your coming from windows 7 that key does not distinguish between 32 or 64bit so you could just get the ISO image for the 64bit version of your Windows edition then upgrade windows 8 from there.
 
Some have said that they can do a clean install (no operating system on the drive) of Windows 8, if that's the case then would you not be able it install Win 8 64 bit that way ?

Ive just upgraded for Win 7 64 to Win 8 64 but ive also got a Win XP 32bit and Win Vista 32bit licence so would also like to know it some one finds a way to do it.
 
enigma27 said:
Actually if your coming from windows 7 that key does not distinguish between 32 or 64bit so you could just get the ISO image for the 64bit version of your Windows edition then upgrade windows 8 from there.
Click to expand...

So you saying as long as the ISO is 64bit you can install it over a 32bit Win XP ?
 
ssmacc said:
Doesn't the Windows 8 DVD come with 32 and 64bit version?

From what you're saying can instal Windows 8 64 over 32bit XP?
Click to expand...

Yes and yes. You won't be upgrading Windows XP to Windows 8, you'll be booting from the DVD and doing a clean install. All you need is the qualifying base product on your HDD when you start setup.
 
In the same boat, have 8 copies of windows xp and this is now the cheapest way to upgrade.

I was going to do the upgrade purchase on a 64bit machine then download the disk then clean install it on all xp machines.
 
rhys24 said:
In the same boat, have 8 copies of windows xp and this is now the cheapest way to upgrade.

I was going to do the upgrade purchase on a 64bit machine then download the disk then clean install it on all xp machines.
Click to expand...

same approach as me, but I need to go shops now to get a blank dvd before I can test if this works.
 
I bought an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro this morning on my Windows 7 (32-bit) computer. I really need the 64-bit version to do a clean install. I have downloaded the ISO after paying, but I assume that is only the 32-bit version - I'm not 100% sure though. Anyone know?
 
coliff said:
I bought an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro this morning on my Windows 7 (32-bit) computer. I really need the 64-bit version to do a clean install. I have downloaded the ISO after paying, but I assume that is only the 32-bit version - I'm not 100% sure though. Anyone know?
Click to expand...

If you run the setup program or create the media from within Windows 7 32-bit, you'll end up with a Windows 8 32-bit ISO/USB drive.
 
bad news, the problem comes when trying to get xp installed onto modern hardware...

I get a fatal exception error during xp install

0x0000007B (0xF78D2524, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)

it seems from a web search this is related to the hard drive controller but I've tried with it in IDE, AHCI and RAID and get the same thing each time.
 
This is why I made an install thread to try and condense the info. The info is in there.

The key is valid for either. You can not download it though. You will need a disc. So an extra ~£12 on top of the £25 and howeve long it takes to deliver.
 
After researching this for many hours, I've found out some useful info. In the Windows 8 Pro Upgrade email order confirmation there is a link to download the installer/ISO. The link detects if you are on a 32-bit or 64-bit computer and gives the correct installer based on that. So you just need to open the link on a 64-bit computer, then burn the ISO to a USB drive and then you'll have the 64-bit installer. Job done! I still don't have the 64-bit ISO myself just yet though...
 
Glaucus said:
The key is valid for either. You can not download it though. You will need a disc. So an extra ~£12 on top of the £25 and howeve long it takes to deliver.
Click to expand...

So this isn't 100% correct. It is possible to download it, you don't NEED a disc. There's quite a number of people over at answers.microsoft.com who have got the 64-bit installer after upgrading from a 32-bit Windows but simply downloading the installer to a 64-bit computer.
 
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